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Staff in the Spotlight: Geoffrey Whittington

March 11, 2019

Geoffrey Whittington

At Havant & South Downs College, we have a number of highly skilled, dedicated and passionate teaching staff.

These lecturers go above and beyond to help our students reach their full potential.

As part of British Science Week, we want to shout about our incredible Science lecturers, who are integral members of our HSDC community.

Today, we are recognising Physics lecturer Geoffrey Whittington.

How long have you worked at the College?

10 years

Why did you choose the subject that you teach?

I love the power and reach of Physics – it underpins all of science and can explain interesting things like why the sky is blue, why the Earth has a magnetic field, how we can find the age of the Universe, etc. It covers all of nature from the smallest sub-nuclear particle to the whole Universe and can predict things like eclipses and the lives of stars far into the future.

What was your journey/training before coming to HSDC?

I did research in semiconductor physics, gaining a PhD at Nottingham University. Then I did some conservation work before doing a PGCE and starting teaching in a very small independent school in London. I worked for eight years at the College of North-East London in the early 2000s before starting at HSDC in 2008.

Do you practice the subject you teach outside of work?

I keep up with some developments in physics by reading magazines such as ‘Physics World’ and ‘New Scientist’ but research goes at such a pace one can’t do more than read about it. I go to some of the Portsmouth Physical Society talks. I enjoy viewing galaxies with binoculars when it is clear and showing people eclipses when they occur. I am always looking out for good documentaries to recommend my students e.g. Horizon , Sky at Night.

What is the highlight of your role at HSDC?

Seeing good students enjoy physics and get good grades especially when they have worked really hard. We have had a good time on the visits to CERN at Geneva which are a good mixture of science and culture.

What kind of careers have your students gone on to do?

Many have gone into engineering or physics via degrees. Others gone into other sciences, have started Apprenticeships or trained as pilots.

What kind of opportunities are offered on your course?

As well as the usual work, students have the opportunity for making posters, group presentations, group investigations, essay writing and playing their musical instrument in the physics lab!

What three words would your students use to describe you?

Thoughtful, helpful and enthusiastic.

Read about more of our fantastic teaching staff by clicking here.